Paulucci psychologist suspended, fined $50K by state board

A Minnesota psychologist who charged thousands of dollars to organize a client’s closets, attend a funeral and visit a gravesite — and accepted dozens of expensive gifts from the client, Gina Paulucci of Wayzata — was suspended indefinitely and fined $50,000 for her actions, according to a Minnesota Board of Psychology order made public this week.

by Jane Friedman
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Originally published May 25, 2012

A Roseville psychologist who charged thousands of dollars to organize a client’s closets, attend a funeral and visit a gravesite — and accepted dozens of expensive gifts from the client, Gina Paulucci of Wayzata — was suspended indefinitely and fined $50,000 for her actions, according to a Minnesota Board of Psychology order made public this week.

Kathryne Sanders, 63, acknowledged in an interview that her professional relationship with the client went over the line, but said her career as a psychologist is likely over, so she won’t have to pay the record fine due upon reinstatement.

State law requires psychologists to observe strict boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and Sanders said “there were definitely issues there. But I also think this is something that is extremely common. I just don’t think it’s deserving of the penalty that I received.”

The entire story is here.